Capital and cultural heart of Spain, a metropolis with 3.4m city-population (2025) and 6.8m metro.
Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been charged with influence peddling, embezzlement, and corruption related to her role at Madrid's Complutense University. The investigation has been ongoing since 2024, with Gómez denying wrongdoing. The case adds pressure on Sánchez's coalition government as opposition parties call for her resignation. The courts are now deciding whether Gómez will stand trial, amid broader corruption probes involving Sánchez's family and allies. Sánchez has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, while the investigation continues to unfold.
Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he has withdrawn from the clay-court season including the Italian Open and Roland Garros after tests on his right wrist confirmed injury. The 22-year-old has been sidelined since hurting the wrist at Barcelona, has missed Madrid and is pausing competition to prioritise recovery ahead of a return date to be evaluated.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado has visited Spain, meeting with opposition figures and avoiding Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. She criticizes Maduro's government, advocates for democratic elections, and signals her intention to return to Venezuela amid ongoing political tensions. Machado's trip highlights divisions within Venezuelan opposition and international support for change.
Spain's National Court has widened its probe into the 2021 €53m Plus Ultra bailout and has searched former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's Madrid office. Zapatero has been summoned to testify on June 2 and has denied receiving payments as investigators examine alleged kickbacks and improper lobbying tied to the airline's rescue.
Pope has urged the Catholic Church to listen, tell the truth, offer justice and repair as Spain advances a government-backed reparations program for clergy abuse. Survivors say they are left in the dark about meetings with the pope and critics warn the church’s secrecy around confession continues to shield abuse. Several former Opus Dei members sought audiences without success.
Pope Leo XIV is on a weeklong Spain tour, addressing Parliament and meeting migrants, abuse-survivor groups, and young Catholics as Europe faces political polarization, migration pressures, and a church grappling with decades of abuse disclosures.
The Vatican has confirmed a brief encounter between Pope Leo XIV and reggaeton star Bad Bunny during Madrid events as the pop star performs two shows in the city. The pope is on a weeklong Spain visit with stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, aiming to promote unity amid political and church tensions.
Pope Leo XIV has addressed Spain’s parliament, urging leaders to end wars, protect migrants, and address the causes of migration amid renewed Israel–Iran hostilities. He warns of a spiritual crisis, defends religious freedom, and calls for safe, legal pathways for migration during his Spain visit.
Pope Leo has led a Mass before about 1.2 million people in Madrid’s Cibeles Square, as part of a week-long visit with stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands. He has called for unity and respect for every human being, while greeting migrants and the city’s residents.
Pope Leo XIV has celebrated Mass at Barcelona’s Sagrada Família and has blessed the newly completed 172.5‑metre Tower of Jesus Christ during a visit marking the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death. The service has drawn thousands, including Spain’s king, queen and prime minister; the pope also said Christians cannot support war.
The Vatican has confirmed Pope Leo has met with Bad Bunny in Madrid, as the Barcelona leg of his Spain visit unfolds. The pope has also addressed thousands at Real Madrid’s venue, and his Catalan remarks have sparked debate about language and regional identity during the Catalonia stop.
The pope has urged world leaders to welcome migrants and crack down on traffickers during a week-long Spain tour, concluding in the Canary Islands. He emphasizes dignity for all migrants, warns smugglers, and asks for greater integration and support as thousands seek safety in Europe.
The pope’s Iberia charter has been grounded by a maintenance issue while returning from Spain. King Felipe VI personally escorts Pope Leo XIV to a different plane on the Canary Islands airstrip; the pope’s trip to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands continues to draw attention to migration and religious outreach.
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Spain faces intensified political strain as court rulings involve the prime minister’s wife, brother, and former allies in corruption cases tied to public contracts and the Plus Ultra bailout. Ábalos and GarcÍa have been convicted; Zapatero under investigation. Sánchez denies wrongdoing and calls it a smear, while opposition pushes for change.
Two early‑season heatwaves have broken June temperature records across western Europe, pushing many locations above 40°C, triggering red alerts, disrupting transport and power, and causing dozens of deaths in France and other countries. Scientists have said human‑caused warming has made this event far more likely and night‑time temperatures have remained unusually high.
Europe endures a blistering heatwave as saharan heat and a high-pressure dome push temperatures past 40 C in multiple countries. Hospitals, rail networks and wildlife centres report strain, with authorities issuing alerts and evacuations where needed.
Zoox has unveiled interior and interface improvements to its bidirectional robotaxi as it eyes a wider rollout later this year, including a lighter interior, new seating, larger cupholders, improved touchscreens, and two-way audio for riders and first responders. Production is planned at the Hayward facility with up to 100 vehicles weekly pending regulatory approval.
European heat waves persist with record-setting temperatures across multiple countries. Authorities warn of health risks, power strains, and disruptions to travel and schooling. Forecasters expect a gradual cooldown starting Friday, as the continent faces a second consecutive heat dome driven by high pressure.
The European-led response to Russia's shadow fleet has intensified, with France and Britain intercepting suspected vessels near Sicily as Kyiv reports further strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Zelensky has authorized a 40-day operation aimed at pressuring Moscow to end the war, while Moscow archives a substantial collection of Ukrainian books.
Extreme heat across Spain, France and the UK has left hundreds dead and exposed stark inequalities in access to cooling, healthcare and shelter. Governments warn of further heatwaves as temperatures threaten 40C+ and infrastructure buckles.
France and Spain face renewed heat, with forecasts reaching up to 44C in parts of the southeast. June’s heat has already caused thousands of excess deaths, prompting warnings of increased forest fires and pressure on hospitals.
Spain has launched a large-scale regularisation program offering a one-year, renewable residence permit to undocumented migrants who have spent at least five months in the country and have a clean criminal record. The measure aims to strengthen the economy and uphold human rights amid aging demographics. Initial applications exceed government expectations, with more than 900,000 received by mid-June and processing ongoing.
Arsenal have signed Selina Cerci from Hoffenheim; Bayern Munich have secured Ismael Saibari from Morocco’s World Cup run; and Grimaldo is departing Leverkusen for Atletico Madrid, with Jo hanna Rytting Kaneryd moving to Lyon.
Osaka has reached the Wimbledon fourth round with a dominant victory over Kasatkina, continuing her best grass-season yet. She is set to face Sabalenka or Ostapenko in the next round, as fashion moments keep drawing attention but her focus remains on grass-court success.